THE RP’S BREAKING NEWS: The Politics of Potato Chips

In a crave-inducing study, a Stanford University study has found potato chips to be reflective of socioeconomic, and possibly even political, divides in the United States. Researchers in the University’s linguistics department analyzed the language on 12 brands of potato chips– six expensive brands, and six inexpensive brands. Their findings indicated that more expensive brands had more words, more advanced language, and more of an emphasis on healthiness than their lower-priced counterparts. Additionally, less expensive brands tended to emphasize tradition, with the most common words including “basic,” “fresh,” and “light,” while the more expensive brands try to portray themselves as exotic, using words like “savory,” “culinary,” and “flair.” [San Jose Mercury News]